Search canberratimes:

Search in:

Gay activists protest Russian concert in Amsterdam

Activists gather on the Museumplein in Amsterdam, The Netherlands for the 'To Russia with Love' concert and protest against the gala concert organised by the Russian state on the same square later the same day. Photo: AFP

Sunday's protest was organised in response to a concert featuring a Russian state orchestra and choir to be held on the same place, Museum Square, later in the evening.

Speakers at the protest, titled "To Russia With Love," included Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan, who spoke of the city's longstanding tolerance for gay rights. Mr Van der Laan declined to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin when he visited the Netherlands in March.

Protesters said their main focus is opposition to the law adopted by Russia's parliament in June making "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations among minors" illegal.